Ventillation insert for an apparel item

ABSTRACT

An apparel item having an insert configured to provide ventilation to the wearer is provided herein. The apparel item is formed by at least a front panel having a posterior edge, a back panel having an anterior edge, and an insert made for coupling the front panel and the back panel. An anterior edge of the insert is coupled to the posterior edge of the front panel while a posterior edge of the insert is attached to the back panel at a position posterior to the back panel&#39;s anterior edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application having attorney docket number NIKE.272198/160011US02and entitled “VENTILLATION INSERT FOR AN APPAREL ITEM” claims thebenefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/319,342,entitled “VENTILLATION INSERT FOR AN APPAREL ITEM,” and filed on Apr. 7,2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an insert for an apparel item thatprovides ventilation to the interior of the apparel item.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to include ventilation features in apparel itemsdesigned to be worn during physical activities. However, it is oftenchallenging to position the ventilation features on the apparel itemsuch that they are accessible to the wearer and provide effectiveventilation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the present invention are described in detail below withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a front, left side perspective view of an exemplaryapparel item having a ventilation insert in accordance with aspectsherein;

FIG. 2 depicts a front, right side perspective view of the exemplaryapparel item having a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 in accordance withaspects herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel item having aventilation insert of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of an inner-facing surface of the exemplaryapparel item with a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 in accordance withaspects herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of an inner-facing surface of an exemplaryapparel item with a ventilation insert having an alternativeconfiguration in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the exemplary apparel item with aventilation insert of FIG. 1 with portions of the exemplary apparel itemcut away in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 7 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel item with aventilation insert of FIG. 1 with a bi-directional closure mechanismbeing opened from the bottom in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 8 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel item with aventilation insert of FIG. 1 with the bi-directional closure mechanismbeing opened from the top in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 9 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel item with aventilation insert of FIG. 1 with the bi-directional closure mechanismbeing opened from the bottom and the top in accordance with aspectsherein;

FIG. 10 depicts a left side view of an exemplary apparel item having analternative configuration for the ventilation insert in accordance withaspects herein;

FIG. 11 depicts a front view of an inner-facing surface of the exemplaryapparel item having the alternative configuration of FIG. 10 inaccordance with aspects herein; and

FIG. 12 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturingan apparel item having a ventilation insert in accordance with aspectsherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present technology is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of thisdisclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed ordisclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, tocomprise different steps or combinations of steps similar to the onesdescribed in this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” mightbe used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, theterms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order amongor between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when theorder of individual steps is explicitly stated.

During exercise, athletes often generate a large amount of heat. Toomuch heat may cause discomfort and can negatively impact the athlete'sperformance. Fabrics having high air permeability may be used for all ora majority of an apparel item to keep the athlete ventilated. However,this solution may not be appropriate for outerwear. For example,outerwear may be wholly or partially formed from materials having lowair permeability, such as materials with wind resistant and/or waterresistant properties. With this type of outerwear, an air permeablemembrane may be used to increase breathability and air permeability. Butthese solutions may not always provide sufficient ventilation to thewearer during exercise. Accordingly, additional ventilation features maybe used, such as ventilation openings. Aspects herein contemplatelocating ventilation openings on the apparel item such that they areeasily accessible by the wearer but yet are effective in helping toventilate high heat producing areas of the wearer's body.

The insert for an apparel item described herein is optimized to provideventilation to high heat-producing areas of a wearer, including awearer's back, while being easily accessible. For example, a ventilationopening may be provided between a front panel and a back panel of theapparel item. The ventilation opening may be opened or closed bypartially uncoupling or coupling the front panel and the back panel viaa releasable coupling mechanism, such as a zipper. An insert, such as apanel of mesh material, may further be used to couple the front paneland the back panel. The insert may help the apparel item retain itsstructure (e.g., prevent the front and back panels from being completelydisengaged when the ventilation opening is in an open state) whileallowing ambient air to enter into the interior of the apparel itemthrough the ventilation opening to cool off the wearer.

In exemplary aspects, the insert may be coupled to the front panel at oradjacent to an edge of the front panel defining the ventilation openingand may be coupled to the back panel at a position posterior to oroffset from the edge of the back panel defining the ventilation opening.By attaching to the back panel at a position posterior to or offset fromthe edge of the back panel defining the ventilation opening, the insertmay extend posteriorly around the back side of the apparel item in orderto provide ventilation to a wearer's underarm, side, and back regionswhen the apparel item is worn. As the back region of a wearer tends toproduce a large amount of heat during exercise, ventilation over thisarea may dissipate heat generated by the wearer more efficiently.Additionally, by including the ventilation opening between the frontpanel and the back panel and attaching the insert such that it spans theopening, this ventilation feature remains easily accessible so that awearer can easily open and close the ventilation opening at the wearer'sside. Having easy access to this ventilation opening for adjustment whenthe apparel item is being worn allows the wearer to control the amountof ventilation. For example, when a wearer begins to exercise, thewearer may not need ventilation and, accordingly, may have theventilation opening closed. As the wearer continues to exercise andgenerates more heat, the wearer may easily access and open theventilation opening. Moreover, the ventilation opening may be configuredto be partially opened to provide a lesser amount of ventilation, and asmore heat is generated, the ventilation opening may be fully opened toprovide more ventilation.

In exemplary aspects, the front panel and the back panel may remaincompletely detached at the bottom margin of the garment. In other words,a bottom portion of the front panel and a bottom portion of the backpanel may be coupled only indirectly via the insert or through thereleasable coupling mechanism. By leaving the bottom portions of thefront and back panels unattached, the fit of the apparel item may beadjusted by opening and closing the ventilation opening. Accordingly,the girth of the apparel item may be adjusted to accommodate wearershaving different body builds or to accommodate additional layers beingworn by the wearer. In other aspects, the bottom portions of the frontand back panels may releasably affixed together with, for example, abutton, hook and loop fastener, or a snap type fastener, such that theventilation opening does not extend to the bottom margin of the apparelitem. In another aspect, the bottom portions of the front and backpanels may be permanently affixed through, for instance, stitching orbonding. Having the bottom portions of the front and back panelsaffixed, either releasably or permanently, may allow for ventilationwhile providing a more aerodynamic silhouette because the front and backpanels will not move independently of each other during exercise,thereby reducing distraction to the wearer and reducing drag.

Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure include an insert for coupling afront panel of an apparel item and a back panel of the apparel item. Theinsert may comprise panel of material having at least an anterior edge,a posterior edge, a superior edge, and an inferior edge. At least aportion of the anterior edge of the panel of material may be coupled toat least a portion of a posterior edge of the front panel, and at leasta portion of the posterior edge of the panel of material may be coupledto the back panel. The posterior edge of the panel of material may becoupled to the back panel at a position posterior to an anterior edge ofthe back panel such that at least a portion of an inner-facing surfaceof the back panel is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of anouter-facing surface of the panel of material.

In another aspect, an apparel item comprises at least a front panelhaving at least a posterior edge, a back panel having at least ananterior edge, and an insert for coupling the front panel and the backpanel. The insert may comprise a panel of material having an anterioredge, a posterior edge, a superior edge, and an inferior edge. At leastat least a portion of the anterior edge of the insert may be coupled toat least a portion of a posterior edge of the front panel. At least aportion of the posterior edge of the insert may be coupled to the backpanel at a position posterior to an anterior edge of the back panel suchthat at least a portion of an inner-facing surface of the back panel ispositioned adjacent to at least a portion of an outer-facing surface ofthe insert.

A further aspect of the present disclosure includes a method ofmanufacturing an apparel item. The method may comprise providing a frontpanel of material having at least a first edge and a second edge,providing a back panel of material having at least a third edge and afourth edge, and coupling the back panel to the front panel via at leasta first insert. Coupling the front panel to the back panel via the firstinsert may comprise attaching at least a portion of an anterior edge ofthe first insert to at least a portion of the first edge of the frontpanel and attaching at least a portion of a posterior edge of the firstinsert to at least a portion of the back panel at a position offset fromthe third edge of the back panel.

As used throughout this disclosure, terms such as anterior, posterior,lateral, medial, and the like are to be given their common anatomicalmeaning with respect to the apparel item being worn by a hypotheticalwearer standing in anatomical position.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-2, these figures provide a front, leftperspective view and a front, right perspective view, respectively, ofan exemplary apparel item 100 in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. Although shown as a zip-up jacket, it is contemplated hereinthat the apparel item 100 may take the form of a pullover, a hoodie, ashirt, pants, shorts, capris, and the like. Further, although shown withlong sleeves, it is contemplated herein that the apparel item 100 maycomprise no sleeve, half sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, and the like.Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated asbeing within the scope herein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparel item 100 comprises at least aright front panel 110 adapted to cover a right front torso of a wearerand a left front panel 120 adapted to cover a left front torso area ofthe wearer when the apparel item 100 is worn. The right front panel 110and the left front panel 120 may be releasably secured to one anothervia a zipper-type mechanism 118 or another coupling mechanism such asbuttons, snap fasteners and the like.

Continuing, the apparel item 100 further comprises one or more backpanels 130 adapted to cover a wearer's back torso area when the apparelitem 100 is worn. The back panel 130 and the right front panel 110 maytogether help to define a right armhole (not shown) and a left armhole(shown in FIG. 4 as indicated by reference numeral 410). The apparelitem 100 may further comprise an optional right sleeve panel 114 coupledto the right armhole and adapted to cover a right arm of the wearer, andan optional left sleeve panel 124 coupled to the left armhole 410 andadapted to cover a left arm of the wearer when the apparel item 100 isworn. Additional front panels, back panels, and/or sleeve panels besidesthose shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are contemplated. The apparel item 100 mayfurther comprise additional features, such as one or more side pockets116 and 126, or another jacket pocket, a collar 112, and/or a hood (notshown) configured to be donned and doffed by a wearer.

The right front panel 110, the left front panel 120, the right sleevepanel 114, the left sleeve panel 124, and the back panel 130 may beconstructed from variety of textile materials. Various textile materialsmay comprise, in one aspect, water-resistant and/or wind-resistantmaterials suitable for outdoor wear. Exemplary materials may comprise,for example, woven and/or knitted nylon or polyester fabrics,polyurethane laminates, vinyl, fabrics treated with water repellantssuch as laminated cotton, water-resistant/breathable fabrics (e.g.,expanded polytetrafluroethylene), composite fabrics, and the like.

The apparel item 100 may include one or more inserts for coupling two ormore panels of the apparel item 100 in a configuration that providesventilation to a wearer of the apparel item 100. In exemplary aspectsshown in FIGS. 1-2, the apparel item 100 includes a left side insert 140and a right side insert 150. Alternative aspects may include only oneside insert, multiple inserts on the left side and/or the right side,one or more back side inserts, one or more front side inserts, and/orone or more sleeve inserts.

Turning to the left side insert 140 shown in FIG. 1, there may be aventilation opening 142 between the left front panel 120 and the backpanel 130 through which the left side insert 140 is exposed to theexternal environment. The left side insert 140 comprises at least onepanel of material coupling the left front panel 120 and the back panel130. The left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 may comprisediscrete panels of material that form a part of the apparel item 100. Inthis case, the ventilation opening may be formed in whole or in partbetween edges of discrete panels. It is contemplated, however, that theapparel item 100 may be formed from a unitary panel (e.g., formedthrough, for instance, a circular knitting process, a flat knittingprocess, or a weaving process), rather than from a plurality of discretepanels. Accordingly, the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 mayrepresent relative regions of the apparel item 100. Accordingly, theventilation opening 142 may be formed by incising one or more portionsof the unitary panel. In this aspect, the ventilation opening 142 mayeffectively divide a unitary panel into a left front panel portion and aback panel portion that are, for purposes of this disclosure,functionally equivalent to a discrete left front panel and a discreteback panel. As such, for purposes of this disclosure, the left frontpanel 120 may refer to a discrete front panel or a front panel portionof an apparel item 100, and back panel 130 may refer to a discrete backpanel or a back panel portion of an apparel item 100.

In addition, though this description focuses on the left side insert140, the right side insert 150 comprises a similar configuration as theleft side insert 140. For instance, the right side insert 150 comprisesat least one panel of material that couples the right front panel 110and the back panel 130 and is visible through a ventilation opening 152between the right front panel 110 and the back panel 130.

Turning to the left side, the left front panel 120 and the back panel130 may each include a releasable coupling mechanism to releasablycouple the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 at a locationgenerally inferior to the left armhole. A coupling mechanism 146, suchas a zipper, is shown in FIG. 1, but it is contemplated that otherreleasable coupling mechanisms may be used such as buttons, snapclosures, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. In exemplary aspects,the coupling mechanism 146 may be disposed on a posterior edge 122 ofthe left front panel 120 and on an anterior edge 132 of the back panel130. When the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 are coupledvia the coupling mechanism 146, the ventilation opening 142 may be in aclosed configuration, and when the left front panel 120 and the backpanel 130 are not releasably coupled, the ventilation opening 142 may bein an open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.

When the ventilation opening 142 is in the open configuration shown inFIGS. 1-2, at least part of the left side insert 140 is exposed to theexternal environment. The left side insert 140 may comprise a panel ofmaterial constructed from a fabric having permeability properties sothat ambient air from the exterior environment may flow through the leftside insert 140 into the interior of the apparel item 100. In exemplaryaspects, the left side insert 140 may comprise a loosely knitted orloosely woven mesh-like material. Further, the left side insert 140 maycomprise a material having greater air permeability than, for instance,the material used for other portions of the apparel item 100, such asthe left front panel 120 and the back panel 130. As a non-limitingexample, air permeability may be measured by ASTM D737-96. For instance,the air permeability, as measured by ASTM D737-96, for the left sideinsert 140 may be approximately greater than 270 cubic centimeters persecond per square centimeters (cm³/second per cm²), 280 cm³/second percm², 290 cm³/second per cm², or 300 cm³/second per cm², while the airpermeability for the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 may beapproximately less than 300 cm³/second per cm², 290 cm³/second per cm²,280 cm³/second per cm², or 270 cm³/second per cm². Additionally, theleft side insert 140 may comprise a singular material or may beconstructed from a combination of materials. The left side insert 140may also be at least partially constructed from yarns having elasticproperties, such as spandex, so that the left side insert 140 may beelastically resilient.

FIG. 3 provides a left side view of the apparel item 100 with the leftsleeve panel 124 raised to better show the left side insert 140 inaccordance with aspects herein. Those portions of the left side insert140 that are visible are shown by cross-hatching, and those portions ofthe left side insert 140 that are hidden from view are shown by a dashedline. The left side insert 140 may help to couple the left front panel120 and the back panel 130 such that the left side insert 140 traversesor spans the ventilation opening 142 between the left front panel 120and the back panel 130.

The ventilation opening 142 between the posterior edge 122 of the leftfront panel 120 and the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 may begenerally positioned beneath or inferior to the left armhole and extendtowards a bottom margin 310 of the apparel item 100. In the aspectillustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the ventilation opening 142 maybegin slightly anterior to the left armhole and terminate at a positioninferior to the left armhole at the bottom margin 310 of the apparelitem 100. By initiating the ventilation opening 142 at a positionslightly anterior to the left armhole and terminating at a moreposterior position, the wearer has easy access to the coupling mechanism146 while air flow is promoted towards posterior regions of the apparelitem 100. Additionally, initiating the ventilation opening 142 at aposition anterior to the left armhole may avoid any discomfortpotentially caused by including the coupling mechanism 146 directlyunderneath a wearer's arm when the apparel item 100 is being worn. It isalso contemplated, however, that the ventilation opening 142 may runvertically, rather than at a diagonal, from a position adjacent to orinferior to the left armhole towards the bottom margin 310. It is alsocontemplated that the ventilation opening 142 may begin slightlyposterior to the left armhole and terminate at a position inferior tothe left armhole at the bottom margin 310 of the apparel item 100. Anyand all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as beingwithin the scope herein.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some exemplary aspects, a superior or upperportion of the left front panel 120 may be directly affixed to asuperior or upper portion of the back panel 130 to form a superiormargin of the ventilation opening 142. In other words, when theventilation opening 142 is in an open configuration, the left frontpanel 120 and the back panel 130 may be secured together to form thesuperior margin of the ventilation opening 142 but may be uncoupled at abottom margin 310 of the apparel item 100. In this way, the bottomportion of the ventilation opening 142 may be wider than the top portionwhen in an open configuration. As such, in addition to providingventilation, the insert 140 may be used to adjust the fit of the apparelitem 100. For instance, when the ventilation opening 142 is in an openconfiguration, the girth of the apparel item 100 may expand, allowingthe apparel item 100 to accommodate different wearers having differentbody builds or to accommodate a wearer having multiple layers underneaththe apparel item 100. In this respect, the left side insert 140 mayprevent the ventilation opening 142 from opening to such an extent thatthe apparel item 100 becomes unsightly and/or from becoming adistraction to the wearer.

Continuing, the left side insert 140 may be coupled at least to the leftfront panel 120 and to the back panel 130. Specifically, at least ananterior edge 312 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to the leftfront panel 120 at or adjacent to the posterior edge 122 of the leftfront panel 120. A posterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 may becoupled to the back panel 130, however, at a position offset from theanterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 as illustrated in FIG. 3 by thedashed line. Specifically, the posterior edge 314 of the left sideinsert 140 may be coupled to the back panel 130 at a position that isposterior to the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130. For example,in aspects in which the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 runsdiagonally from a position adjacent and anterior to the left armhole toa position inferior to the left armhole at the bottom margin 310, theposterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to aportion of the back panel 130 at a position inferior to the left armholeand extending to the bottom margin 310 at a location posteriorly offsetfrom the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130.

With this configuration, a portion of the back panel 130 may bepositioned adjacent to a posterior portion of the left side insert 140as the left side insert 140 is configured to extend over a portion of awearer's back when the apparel item 100 is being worn. To put it anotherway, an outer-facing surface of the left side insert 140 may bepositioned adjacent to an inner-facing surface of the back panel 130.Coupling the left side insert 140 to the back panel 130 at a positionposterior to or offset from the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130increases the amount of area over which ambient air may funneled to helpcool down the wearer. Moreover, the positioning of the left side insert140 into posterior regions of the apparel item 100 provides ventilationto the wearer's back. As the back region may be a high heat-producingarea, ventilation over portions of the back provides an effective methodto dissipate heat generated by the wearer. At the same time, because theventilation opening 142 between the left front panel 120 and the backpanel 130 remains generally positioned along a wearer's side, theventilation opening 142 may be easily opened and closed by a wearer whenthe apparel item 100 is being worn. Additionally, including aventilation opening 142 along the side of the apparel item 100 whileattaching the posterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 to a moreposterior portion of the back panel 130 takes advantage of air flowcreated when the wearer moves in a forward direction, such as whenrunning. As the wearer moves in a forward direction, air may naturallyflow through the ventilation opening 142 on the wearer's side andtowards a posterior region in the interior of the apparel item 100. Thepositioning of the ventilation opening 142 may also increase air flowinto the apparel item 100 by acting as a scoop to capture air that istraveling over the front of the apparel item 100.

Additionally, although the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130are not directly secured together at the bottom margin 310 of theapparel item 100 in some aspects, coupling the left side insert 140 tothe back panel 130 at a location offset from the anterior edge 132 ofthe back panel 130 keeps the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130from completely disengaging when the ventilation opening 142 is in anopen configuration. Without the left side insert 140 to couple the leftfront panel 120 and the back panel 130, the independent movements of theleft front panel 120 and the back panel 130 when the wearer is movingmay distract the wearer and decrease the aerodynamic profile of theapparel item 100.

Turning to FIG. 4, a view of a portion of the interior of the apparelitem 100 is provided to show the left side insert 140 in accordance withaspects herein. In this view, the left side insert 140 is visible in itsentirety. The left side insert 140 may comprise the anterior edge 312and the posterior edge 314 discussed above. The left side insert 140 mayfurther comprise a superior edge 416, and an inferior edge 418. Asdescribed, the anterior edge 312 of the left side insert 140 may becoupled to the posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120, and theposterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to theback panel 130 at a position offset from the anterior edge 132 of theback panel 130. As shown in FIG. 4, the superior edge 416 of the leftside insert 140 may include a curvature that generally corresponds to aninferior margin of the left armhole 410 and may be coupled to the leftarmhole 410 at the inferior margin of the left armhole 410. In otheraspects, the superior edge 416 may be coupled to the back panel 130 at alocation inferior to the left armhole 410. Additionally, the inferioredge 418 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to an inferiorportion of the back panel 130. In the aspect shown, the left side insert140 comprises an asymmetrical shape such that only a small portion ofthe inferior edge 418 extends over the back panel 130. In other aspects,such as the one described shown in FIG. 5, a larger portion of theinferior edge 418 may extend over the back panel 130. In alternativeaspects, the superior edge 416 and/or the inferior edge 418 of the leftside insert 140 may be unattached to the back panel 130.

The coupling of any of the edges of the left side insert 140 to the leftfront panel 120 and the back panel 130 may be done by permanentlyaffixing or securing these pieces together by, for example, stitching,adhesives, bonding, and the like. In other aspects, the pieces may beremoveably affixed to one another by, for instance, buttons, zippers,snap closures, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like such that the leftside insert 140 may be removed. Although the specific type of technologyused to secure the different pieces of the apparel item 100 is not shownin FIG. 4, it is understood that FIG. 4 is meant to encompass any of theaforementioned types of affixing technologies.

FIG. 4 also shows an offset distance 420 of the left side insert 140between the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 and the position atwhich the posterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 attaches to theback panel 130. In some aspects, the offset distance 420 may be in arange between two centimeters and ten centimeters. In other words, theposterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 may couple to the backpanel 130 at a position approximately between two centimeters and tencentimeters posterior to the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130.

In alternative aspects, the left side insert 140 may be larger so thatit may be coupled to the back panel 130 at a position more posterior tothe anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 such as the aspect depictedin FIG. 5. In this aspect, the offset distance 420 between the posterioredge 314 of the left side insert 140 and the anterior edge 132 of theback panel 130 may be approximately between ten centimeters to twentycentimeters. By coupling the left side insert 140 to the back panel 130at a more posterior position on the back panel 130, the left side insert140 may provide air flow over a larger portion of the wearer's back. Inthe alternative aspect shown in FIG. 5, the posterior edge 314 of theleft side insert 140 extends to the top or superior margin of the backpanel 130. In some aspects, however, the left side insert 140 may notextend superior to the left armhole 410 of the apparel item 100. Any andall aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being withinthe scope herein.

Turning to FIG. 6, an exploded and inner-facing view of the apparel item100 with the left side insert 140 with portions of the apparel item 100cut away is provided in accordance with aspects herein. The left sideinsert 140 may comprise an outer-facing surface 610 and an inner-facingsurface 612. Similarly, the left front panel 120 may have anouter-facing surface (not shown) and an inner-facing surface 614 whilethe back panel 130 may have an outer-facing surface (not shown) and aninner-facing surface 616. The left side insert 140 may be positionedwithin the interior of the apparel item 100. As such, the outer-facingsurface 610 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to theinner-facing surface 616 of the back panel 130 and to the inner-facingsurface 614 of the left front panel 120.

Additionally, as the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 may bereleasably coupled via the coupling mechanism 146, portions of thecoupling mechanism 146 (e.g., zipper tapes) may be coupled to theinner-facing surface 614 of the left front panel 120 at the posterioredge 122 of the left front panel 120 and coupled to the inner-facingsurface 616 of the back panel 130 at the anterior edge 132 of the backpanel 130. The anterior edge 312 of the left side insert 140 may becoupled to the left front panel 120 adjacent to the coupling mechanism146 disposed along the posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120.The posterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140 may be aligned with aportion of the back panel 130 posterior to the coupling mechanism 146that is disposed along the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130. Withthis offset alignment of the left side insert 140, a portion of theinner-facing surface 616 of the back panel 130 may be positionedadjacent to a portion of the outer-facing surface 610 of the left sideinsert 140.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling mechanism 146 may be a one directionalcoupling mechanism in that it includes only one pull. In alternativeaspects, the coupling mechanism 146 releasably coupling the left frontpanel 120 to the back panel 130 is a bi-directional coupling mechanism,or a coupling mechanism that opens in two directions as shown in FIGS.7-9. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the apparel item 100 having a couplingmechanism 146 that is bi-directional in various configurations. Forexample, FIG. 7 shows the ventilation opening 142 being partially openedby a bottom pull 710, which partially exposes a bottom portion of theleft side insert 140 and keeps the top and middle portions of the leftfront panel 120 and the back panel 130 releasably coupled. In FIG. 8, atop pull 712 partially opens the ventilation opening 142 at a topportion while the middle and bottom portions of the left front panel 120and the back panel 130 remain coupled. Finally, FIG. 9 shows both thetop pull 712 used to open a top portion of a ventilation opening 142 andthe bottom pull 710 used to open a bottom portion of the ventilationopening 142. The middle portions of the left front panel 120 and theback panel 130 remain coupled. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, a couplingmechanism 146 that is bi-directional allows the wearer to adjust theamount of ventilation and the areas receiving direct ventilation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the bottom portions of the left front panel120 and the back panel 130 are not directly and permanently coupledtogether. FIGS. 10-11 depict an alternative aspect of an apparel item1000, however, in which a bottom margin 1010 of a left front panel 1020is affixed to a bottom margin 1012 of a back panel 1030 such that theventilation opening 1042 does not extend to the bottom margin of theapparel. In some aspects, the bottom margin 1010 of the left front panel1020 and the bottom margin 1012 of the back panel 1030 may be releasablyaffixed together with, for example, one or more buttons, hook and loopfasteners, or snap-type fasteners. In another aspect, the bottom margins1010 and 1012 of the left front panel 1020 and the back panel 1030,respectively, may be permanently affixed through stitching or bonding.Further, in other aspects, the left front panel 1020 and the back panel1030 may be constructed from a single piece of material, and theventilation opening 1042 may engineered as a slit in the material,leaving a bottom margin of the apparel item 1000 intact inferior to theventilation opening 1042.

When affixed, the bottom margin 1010 of the left front panel 1020remains directly coupled to the bottom margin 1012 of the back panel1030 when the ventilation opening 1042 is in an open configuration.Affixing the bottom margins 1010 and 1012 of the left front panel 1020and the back panel 1030, respectively, creates an aerodynamic silhouettebut still provides ventilation to portions of a wearer's back throughthe ventilation opening 1042 along the wearer's side. Further, becausethe bottom margin 1010 of the left front panel 1020 and the bottommargin 1012 of the back panel 1030 cannot move independently of oneanother when affixed together, this configuration may be lessdistracting to the wearer. In this alternative aspect, portions of theleft front panel 1020 and the back panel 1030 superior to the bottommargins 1010 and 1012, respectively, may also be configured to bereleasably coupled via a releasable coupling mechanism, such as thecoupling mechanism 1046.

FIG. 11 provides a view of the interior of the apparel item 1000 havingthis alternative configuration. In the aspect shown, the bottom margin1010 of the left front panel 1020 is secured to the bottom margin 1012of the back panel 1030. In addition to the posterior edge 1114 of theleft side insert 1040, the superior edge 1116 and the inferior edge 1118of the left side insert 1040 may also be coupled to the back panel 1030.In some alternative configurations and as shown in FIG. 11, the superioredge 1116 of the left side insert 1040 may couple to a portion of theback panel 1030 that is positioned inferior to the left armhole 1110. Bycoupling each edge of the left side insert 1040 to either the back panel1030 or the left front panel 1020, there are no openings between theleft side insert 1040 and the other panels of the apparel item 1000through which ambient air could escape. In this respect, ambient airentering through the ventilation opening 1042 may be more concentratedon the area of the wearer over which the left side insert 1040 extendsas the air does not diffuse through other openings between left sideinsert 1040 and the panels.

Turning to FIG. 12, a flow diagram illustrating a method ofmanufacturing 1200 an apparel item, such as apparel item 100, with aninsert is provided. The method 1200 comprises, at step 1210, providing afront panel of material having at least a first edge and a second edge.The front panel of material may be the left front panel 120, the rightfront panel 110, or both the left front panel 120 and right front panel110. The method 1200 may also comprise, at step 1220, providing a backpanel of material, such as the back panel 130 described with respect toFIGS. 1-9, having at least a third edge and a fourth edge.

At step 1230, the back panel may be coupled to the front panel via atleast a first insert, such as the left side insert 140. The first insertmay comprise a panel of mesh material having an anterior edge and aposterior edge. Coupling the front panel to the back panel via the firstinsert may comprise, at step 1230A, attaching at least a portion of theanterior edge of the first insert to at least a portion of the firstedge of the front panel. In this way, the first edge of the front panelmay be equivalent to the posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120.Next, at step 1230B, at least a portion of the posterior edge of thefirst insert may be attached to at least a portion of the back panel ata position offset from the third edge of the back panel. The third edgeof the back panel may be equivalent to the anterior edge 132 of the backpanel 130 described above. In some aspects, the method also includesattaching a superior edge of the first insert to the back panel and/orattaching an inferior edge of the first insert to the back panel.

The method 1200 may further comprise affixing a releasable closuremechanism such as a zipper mechanism along at least a portion of thefirst edge of the front panel and along at least a portion of the thirdedge of the back panel. The releasable closure mechanism, such as thecoupling mechanism 146 described with respect to FIGS. 1-9, may beconfigured to couple the first edge of the front panel to the third edgeof the back panel. In some aspects, the releasable closure mechanism isa bi-directional zipper having a top zipper pull and a bottom zipperpull.

The method 1200 may also comprise coupling the back panel to the frontpanel via a second insert, such as the right side insert 150. Couplingthe back panel to the front panel via the second insert may includeattaching at least a portion of an anterior edge of the second insert toat least a portion of the second edge of the front panel and attachingat least a portion of a posterior edge of the second insert to at leasta portion of the back panel at a position offset from the fourth edge ofthe back panel. Like with the first insert, a superior edge of thesecond insert may attach to the back panel, and an inferior edge of thesecond insert may also attach to the back panel. Lastly, a releasableclosure mechanism may also be affixed along at least a portion of thesecond edge of the front panel and along at least a portion of thefourth edge of the back panel to releasably couple the second edge ofthe front panel to the fourth edge of the back panel.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent tobe illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from the scopeof this disclosure. Similarly, a skilled artisan may develop alternativemeans of implementing these aspects without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims. Since many possible aspects may be made without departing fromthe scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein setforth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insert for coupling a front panel of an apparel item and a back panel of the apparel item, the insert comprising: a panel of material having at least an anterior edge, a posterior edge, a superior edge, and an inferior edge, wherein at least a portion of the anterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to at least a portion of a posterior edge of the front panel and at least a portion of the posterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back panel at a position posterior to an anterior edge of the back panel such that at least a portion of an inner-facing surface of the back panel is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of an outer-facing surface of the panel of material.
 2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the superior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back panel.
 3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the inferior edge of the panel of material is coupled to an inferior portion of the back panel.
 4. The insert of claim 3, wherein at least a bottom margin of the front panel is affixed to a bottom margin of the back panel.
 5. The insert of claim 4, wherein the superior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back panel at location inferior to an armhole of the apparel item.
 6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the panel of material comprises a mesh material.
 7. The insert of claim 6, wherein the mesh material is elastically resilient.
 8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the posterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back panel between 4 centimeters and 10 centimeters posterior to the anterior edge of the back panel.
 9. The insert of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the posterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back panel between 10 centimeters and 20 centimeters posterior to the anterior edge of the back panel.
 10. The insert of claim 1, wherein a releasable coupling mechanism releasably couples the posterior edge of the front panel and the anterior edge of the back panel.
 11. An apparel item comprising: a front panel having at least a posterior edge; a back panel having at least an anterior edge; and an insert for coupling the front panel and the back panel, wherein: the insert comprises a panel of material having an anterior edge, a posterior edge, a superior edge, and an inferior edge, at least a portion of the anterior edge of the insert is coupled to at least a portion of a posterior edge of the front panel, and at least a portion of the posterior edge of the insert is coupled to the back panel at a position posterior to an anterior edge of the back panel such that at least a portion of an inner-facing surface of the back panel is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of an outer-facing surface of the insert.
 12. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein the panel of material comprise a mesh material.
 13. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein at least a bottom margin of the front panel is affixed to a bottom margin of the back panel.
 14. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein the at least a portion of the posterior edge of the insert is coupled to the back panel at least 4 centimeters posterior to the anterior edge of the back panel.
 15. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein a portion of the posterior edge of the front panel and a portion of the anterior edge of the back panel are configured to be releasably coupled via a bi-directional zipper having a top zipper pull and a bottom zipper pull.
 16. The apparel item of claim 15, wherein the bi-directional zipper runs from a location inferior to an armhole of the apparel item to a bottom margin of the apparel item.
 17. A method of manufacturing an apparel item, the method comprising: providing a front panel of material having at least a first edge and a second edge; providing a back panel of material having at least a third edge and a fourth edge; coupling the back panel to the front panel via at least a first insert, wherein coupling the front panel to the back panel via the first insert comprises: attaching at least a portion of an anterior edge of the first insert to at least a portion of the first edge of the front panel, and attaching at least a portion of a posterior edge of the first insert to at least a portion of the back panel at a position offset from the third edge of the back panel.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first insert comprises a panel of mesh material.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising affixing a zipper mechanism along at least a portion of the first edge of the front panel and along at least a portion of the third edge of the back panel, wherein the zipper mechanism is configured to releasably couple the first edge of the front panel to the third edge of the back panel.
 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising coupling the back panel to the front panel via a second insert, wherein coupling the back panel to the front panel via the second insert comprises: attaching at least a portion of an anterior edge of the second insert to at least a portion of the second edge of the front panel, and attaching at least a portion of a posterior edge of the second insert to at least a portion of the back panel at a position offset from the fourth edge of the back panel. 